Drs. Shanon Reckinger, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, and Ryan Munden, assistant professor of electrical engineering, led the redesign of the freshman Fundamentals of Engineering course. The new focus is to offer a broad overview of engineering to help students decide which engineering specialty is the best fit for them and to develop a passion for the field. Ultimately, the goal is for students to develop skills common to all engineering disciplines, including professionalism.

Engineering students were among the winners in the Dolan School of Business’ Business Plan Competition. The winning team in the Venture category was the “SenseFit,” a wristwatch-type device that uses compact, wireless sensors to read and record heart rate, pulse oximeter, and muscle activity using Bluetooth technology. “We wanted to combine the skills we’ve learned in engineering with our passion for sports,” said Elizabeth Cortez ’13, who is captain of the women’s rugby team and a mechanical engineering major. The team also included Nicole Stark ’13, mechanical, and Stephanie Cruz ’13, software, all of whom shared the $10,000 prize. In the Social Enterprise category, electrical engineering major Darren Mondezie ’14 teamed with a business student to create the “inCognito Climate Controlled Hat,” a cap that can act as a personal heating or cooling system for patients undergoing cancer treatments.

Founding dean of the Schoolof Engineering Evangelos Hadjimichael, currently professor of physics, was elected to membership in the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering. The Academy provides information and advice to the government, industry, and people of Connecticut, and encourages youth in science, engineering, and technology. Membership is limited to just 400 people. “I am very pleased to have been elected to membership in CASE; I see this election not just as an honor, but primarily as an opportunity for me to further the interests of the State of Connecticut,” Dr. Hadjimichael said.